Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Presenteeism </it>is highly prevalent and costly to employers. It is defined as being present at work, but limited in some aspect of job performance by a health problem.</p> <p>Workplace health promotion (...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/395 |
| _version_ | 1819058226822381568 |
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| author | Cassidy J David Cancelliere Carol Ammendolia Carlo Côté Pierre |
| author_facet | Cassidy J David Cancelliere Carol Ammendolia Carlo Côté Pierre |
| author_sort | Cassidy J David |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Presenteeism </it>is highly prevalent and costly to employers. It is defined as being present at work, but limited in some aspect of job performance by a health problem.</p> <p>Workplace health promotion (WHP) is a common strategy used to enhance on-the-job productivity. The primary objective is to determine if WHP programs are effective in improving presenteeism. The secondary objectives are to identify characteristics of successful programs and potential risk factors for presenteeism.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Cochrane Library, Medline, and other electronic databases were searched from 1990 to 2010. Reference lists were examined, key journals were hand-searched and experts were contacted. Included studies were original research that contained data on at least 20 participants (≥ 18 years of age), and examined the impacts of WHP programs implemented at the workplace. The <it>Effective Public Health Practice Project Tool for Quantitative Studies </it>was used to rate studies. 'Strong' and 'moderate' studies were abstracted into evidence tables, and a best evidence synthesis was performed. Interventions were deemed successful if they improved the outcome of interest. Their program components were identified, as were possible risk factors contributing to presenteeism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 2,032 titles and abstracts were screened, 47 articles were reviewed, and 14 were accepted (4 strong and 10 moderate studies). These studies contained preliminary evidence for a positive effect of some WHP programs. Successful programs offered organizational leadership, health risk screening, individually tailored programs, and a supportive workplace culture. Potential risk factors contributing to presenteeism included being overweight, a poor diet, a lack of exercise, high stress, and poor relations with co-workers and management. Limitations: This review is limited to English publications. A large number of reviewed studies (70%) were inadmissible due to issues of bias, thus limiting the amount of primary evidence. The uncertainties surrounding presenteeism measurement is of significant concern as a source of bias.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presenteeism literature is young and heterogeneous. There is preliminary evidence that some WHP programs can positively affect presenteeism and that certain risk factors are of importance. Future research would benefit from standard presenteeism metrics and studies conducted across a broad range of workplace settings.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T13:51:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c133dc59a16c415e9bbd81d08815d24d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T13:51:50Z |
| publishDate | 2011-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c133dc59a16c415e9bbd81d08815d24d2022-12-21T19:01:40ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582011-05-0111139510.1186/1471-2458-11-395Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literatureCassidy J DavidCancelliere CarolAmmendolia CarloCôté Pierre<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Presenteeism </it>is highly prevalent and costly to employers. It is defined as being present at work, but limited in some aspect of job performance by a health problem.</p> <p>Workplace health promotion (WHP) is a common strategy used to enhance on-the-job productivity. The primary objective is to determine if WHP programs are effective in improving presenteeism. The secondary objectives are to identify characteristics of successful programs and potential risk factors for presenteeism.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Cochrane Library, Medline, and other electronic databases were searched from 1990 to 2010. Reference lists were examined, key journals were hand-searched and experts were contacted. Included studies were original research that contained data on at least 20 participants (≥ 18 years of age), and examined the impacts of WHP programs implemented at the workplace. The <it>Effective Public Health Practice Project Tool for Quantitative Studies </it>was used to rate studies. 'Strong' and 'moderate' studies were abstracted into evidence tables, and a best evidence synthesis was performed. Interventions were deemed successful if they improved the outcome of interest. Their program components were identified, as were possible risk factors contributing to presenteeism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 2,032 titles and abstracts were screened, 47 articles were reviewed, and 14 were accepted (4 strong and 10 moderate studies). These studies contained preliminary evidence for a positive effect of some WHP programs. Successful programs offered organizational leadership, health risk screening, individually tailored programs, and a supportive workplace culture. Potential risk factors contributing to presenteeism included being overweight, a poor diet, a lack of exercise, high stress, and poor relations with co-workers and management. Limitations: This review is limited to English publications. A large number of reviewed studies (70%) were inadmissible due to issues of bias, thus limiting the amount of primary evidence. The uncertainties surrounding presenteeism measurement is of significant concern as a source of bias.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presenteeism literature is young and heterogeneous. There is preliminary evidence that some WHP programs can positively affect presenteeism and that certain risk factors are of importance. Future research would benefit from standard presenteeism metrics and studies conducted across a broad range of workplace settings.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/395 |
| spellingShingle | Cassidy J David Cancelliere Carol Ammendolia Carlo Côté Pierre Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature BMC Public Health |
| title | Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| title_full | Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| title_fullStr | Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| title_short | Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| title_sort | are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/395 |
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